Parador de Turismo de Toledo
Toledo
Stunning panorama view of city
The Parador de Toledo is a 14th century building on the Cerro del Emperador, overlooking Toledo, the former capital of Spain.
The other name of Toledo Parador is 'Parador Conde de Orgaz', said to be named after El Greco's painting of the death of Count Orgaz in Toledo Cathedral. The Parador's interior, with terracotta and earth-coloured tiles that evoke the intense Spanish sun, is simple and clean, with white lime walls and wooden decorations.
Standing on the terrace and in the garden of the Parador, you can enjoy panoramic views of Toledo, surrounded by the Tagus River. The Parador, converted from old buildings built on high ground like fortresses or castles, has good views from most places, but it would not be an exaggeration to say that Toledo's is the best.
However, to enjoy the view you have to go up and down the Hill of the Emperor, which is not an easy place to get to without a rental car. In my experience, I would advise against trying to walk between the Parador and the city of Toledo in the middle of the day in summer. It would be a 4 kilometre walk in the valley with no shade, which would be a very difficult journey.
When I arrived at the Parador, for some reason I was lucky enough to get an upgrade. It was a room on the first floor with access to the terrace garden overlooking the city of Toledo. It was only when it got dark that I understood why this room was so good. During the day, the beautiful landscape of Toledo could be enjoyed by anyone on the terrace of the Parador, but at night, Toledo, bathed in white light, belongs only to those who stay here.
The Parador also has a restaurant that serves traditional local cuisine, and given that it's a little far from the city centre, it's a good idea to dine there while you're staying. The Parador de Toledo offers the traditional cuisine of Castile-La Mancha, the most outstanding dishes being perdiz estofada a la Toleana (quail stew) and majan (a sweet pastry made by hand).
You can see mazapan piled high in the windows of every alleyway in Toledo.
It is a sweet and soft cake filled with almonds, similar to the baklava that is common in the Middle East, Turkey and the Mediterranean.
It is said that the origins of mazapan in Toledo date back to the 13th century, when the nuns of the convent of San Clemente in Toledo made pies with almonds and sugar, the ingredients they could obtain during the war against the Moors.
More Reviews>>
